Suspect in Omaha arrest: Don't fire cops

The officers involved shouldn't lose their jobs, Robert Wagner said

OMAHA, Neb. — The Omaha assault suspect shown on a video being kicked while subdued by Omaha police officers says the officers involved shouldn't lose their jobs, but more officers should be disciplined for not stepping in.

Robert A. Wagner, 35, was in court Tuesday for a scheduled pretrial hearing, which was delayed.

He faces a charge of third-degree assault on an officer that his lawyer says is likely to be dropped, though Douglas County prosecutors disagree.

After the hearing was delayed, Wagner said police command staff at the scene didn't step in to protect him and should have. But, he said, the two officers the city has moved to fire should not lose their livelihoods. A suspension and extra training would be punishment enough, he said.